The University of Missouri Marching band is set to play on the biggest stage. On Thursday, November 24th. Marching Mizzou will perform at The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
Marching Mizzou will be the first of twelve bands performing this year, leading the pack. University of Missouri School of Music, Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands, Amy Knopps will lead 350 students in Marching Mizzou as they trek just shy of 2.5 miles through New York City.
This is a significant achievement for the University of Missouri and the music program. Macy’s allows bands to apply only once every four years. Becoming a part of the Macy’s Parade is a process that requires patience and an exceptional routine for selection.
The selection committee requires proof of work and is focused on execution and creativity. Something Marching Mizzou excels at, earning them a spot in the 2022 Macy’s Parade. The University of Missouri submitted their ‘Spot the Robot’ performance and a Stanley Cup theme celebrating the 2019 Stanley Cup Champion, St. Louis Blues as means for consideration.
Marching Mizzou is the first band out, thus the first televised
Viewers need to be tuned in by 8:45 a.m. central standard time to watch the performance. The band will start with their traditional fight songs. The performance culminates with renditions of Mizzou Alum, Sherly Crow’s No. 1 hit song, “All I Wanna Do.” at Macy’s Herald Square.
The Macy’s foundation and Mizzou Alumni helped make this dream a reality, assisting with expenses for travel and lodging of the student band and faculty. The cost is estimated to be $500,000. A pretty penny, but well worth it as these lucky students make memories and the University creates history.
It has been a busy year for Marching Mizzou
In addition to seven Missouri Tigers home games, Marching Mizzou performed at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO at the halftime show of the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Columbia, Missouri, band will join bands from South Carolina, Kentucky, Indiana, California, Pennsylvania, New York, Florida, South Dakota, Texas, and Mexico.
How to watch: The 2022 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will air on NBC and CBS from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. local time in all time zones. Streaming services that carry the channels such as Peacock (for NBC), YouTube TV and Hulu+ Live TV will also broadcast the parade.
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